Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget for the year 2026 in Parliament today, laying out the government’s financial and policy priorities for the coming year. The budget speech, which began at 11 am, is being closely watched by lawmakers, economists, businesses, and citizens across the country.

This presentation marks a major milestone for Sitharaman, as it is her ninth consecutive Union Budget. With this, she joins a rare group of leaders in Indian parliamentary history, moving closer to the record held by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who presented the highest number of budgets during his tenure as finance minister.

The Union Budget 2026 is expected to focus on economic growth, infrastructure development, fiscal stability, and support for key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and employment. Taxpayers are also keenly awaiting announcements related to income tax relief, social welfare schemes, and measures to boost investment.